Origin
San Antonio, TX
Afternoon in San Antonio on Sunday
Local time
3:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
81°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from San Antonio, TX to Addison, TX
Drive Time
5h 10m
Distance
286.3 mi
461 km
Drive Score
9/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$44
one way
Best Time to Leave
4 AM
4h 57m
★
6 AM
5h 10m
8 AM
5h 37m
10 AM
5h 20m
12 PM
5h 17m
3 PM
5h 21m
5 PM
5h 36m
8 PM
5h 2m
Estimated drive times based on typical traffic patterns. Actual times may vary with weather, construction, and real-time conditions.
San Antonio, TX
Wikimedia Commons
Addison, TX
Thomas balabaud
Trip Overview
Embarking on the 286.3-mile journey from San Antonio to Addison is a straightforward trek that spans the Great Plains region. You should plan for a total drive time of approximately 5 hours and 10 minutes, making this a very manageable trip to complete in a single day. Budgeting around $43 for fuel will cover your transit costs, though keeping a little extra for traffic-heavy local driving is wise. Because the route relies on local roads like West Market Street, East Market Street, and East Commerce Street rather than high-speed interstates, it offers a different pace than a standard highway cruise. Whether you are traveling for business or a change of scenery, this one-day itinerary provides enough flexibility to reach your destination without the need for an overnight stop.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
143.1 miles from San Antonio, TX
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 36m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a unique experience behind the wheel, as this route is characterized as a turn-heavy local drive rather than a high-speed interstate haul. With a highway share of 0%, your focus will remain on navigating local corridors and surface streets. The longest uninterrupted stretch is currently 0 miles on West Market Street, meaning you will be making frequent adjustments and turns throughout the journey. This personality shift requires more attention than a monotonous highway slog, keeping you engaged with the surrounding local landscape. By avoiding the typical highway grind, you gain a closer look at the transition between these two Great Plains locations.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 30 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Purple Heart Trail is the longest continuous segment at about 188.3 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 0.9 miles in.
Route Complexity
9/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 286.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles (North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 19 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
7
0.9 mi into trip
|
~1m in
Take the ramp toward US 281 North, I 37 North
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward US 281 North, I 37 North
7
1.9 mi into trip
|
~3m in
Take the exit toward I 35 North: Austin
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 142A
Toward I 35 North: Austin
7
10.7 mi into trip
|
~14m in
|
North Pan Am Expressway
Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway toward I 35: Austin
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Toward I 35: Austin
7
214.9 mi into trip
|
~3h 51m in
|
I 35E
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E toward I 35E: Dallas
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Toward I 35E: Dallas
7
274.2 mi into trip
|
~4h 53m in
Take the exit toward Oak Lawn Avenue
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 430A
Toward Oak Lawn Avenue
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Purple Heart Trail | 188.3 mi | 3h 18m |
| I 35E | 59.2 mi | 1h 2m |
| North Pan Am Expressway | 15.6 mi | 18m |
| Dallas North Tollway | 10 mi | 11m |
| South Jack Kultgen Expressway | 6.6 mi | 7m |
| Interstate Highway 35 | 1.9 mi | 2m |
| William J Bordelon Freeway | 0.8 mi | <1m |
| Addison Road | 0.5 mi | 1m |
Longest stretch:
Purple Heart Trail
— 188.3 mi, about 3h 18m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between San Antonio, TX and Addison, TX.
1
Start on Dolorosa Street
143 ft
·
4 sec
·
Dolorosa Street
2
Continue on West Market Street
0.4 mi
·
42 sec
·
West Market Street
3
Continue on East Market Street
0.4 mi
·
45 sec
·
East Market Street
4
Turn left
363 ft
·
13 sec
Use the left lane.
5
Turn straight onto East Commerce Street
216 ft
·
12 sec
·
East Commerce Street
6
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward US 281 North, I 37 North
7
Merge onto I 37; US 281
0.8 mi
·
55 sec
·
William J Bordelon Freeway
8
Take the exit
0.6 mi
·
1 min
Exit 142A
Toward I 35 North: Austin
Use the slight right lane.
9
Merge onto I 35
8.2 mi
·
10 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
10
Keep slight left at fork onto North Pan Am Expressway
7.4 mi
·
8 min
·
North Pan Am Expressway
Toward I 35: Austin
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
11
Continue on I 35
12 mi
·
12 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
12
Continue on I 35
1.9 mi
·
2 min
·
Interstate Highway 35
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
13
Continue on I 35
48 mi
·
52 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
14
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35; US 290
96 mi
·
1 hr 40 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
15
Continue on I 35
6.6 mi
·
7 min
·
South Jack Kultgen Expressway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 35; US 77
33 mi
·
33 min
·
Purple Heart Trail
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight right at fork onto I 35E
59 mi
·
1 hr 2 min
·
I 35E
Toward I 35E: Dallas
Use the slight right lane.
18
Take the exit
411 ft
·
7 sec
Exit 430A
Toward Oak Lawn Avenue
Use the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight right at fork
468 ft
·
9 sec
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
20
Turn right onto Oak Lawn Avenue
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
·
Oak Lawn Avenue
21
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
28 sec
Toward DNT North
22
Merge onto DNT
10 mi
·
11 min
·
Dallas North Tollway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
23
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
30 sec
Toward Belt Line Road, Arapaho Road
Use the slight right lane.
24
Continue on Dallas Parkway
0.2 mi
·
20 sec
·
Dallas Parkway
25
Turn left onto Belt Line Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Belt Line Road
Use the left / straight lanes.
26
Turn right onto Addison Road
0.5 mi
·
1 min
·
Addison Road
Use the straight / right lanes.
27
Turn right onto Addison Circle
200 ft
·
11 sec
·
Addison Circle
28
Turn left
66 ft
·
7 sec
29
Turn right
84 ft
·
6 sec
30
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
Planning your departure is key to navigating the turn-heavy nature of this 286.3-mile trip effectively. Since you are sticking to local roads, try to leave during off-peak hours to avoid the congestion that often slows down city-based routes. You only need one dedicated stop to stretch your legs and refuel, which fits perfectly into the 5-hour and 10-minute duration. Because the route relies heavily on local streets like East Commerce Street, keep your GPS updated and ready for frequent navigation prompts. A helpful tip for this specific drive is to account for the lack of high-speed highway stretches by allowing a buffer in your travel time, ensuring you don't feel rushed while navigating the various turns along the way.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 143.1 miles from San Antonio, TX, or about 2h 36m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 188.3 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 30m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 143.1 miles or 2h 36m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 4h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Addison, TX than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving San Antonio, TX so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from San Antonio, TX
This is one driving day of about 286.3 miles and 5h 10m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from San Antonio, TX.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Purple Heart Trail for about 188.3 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 143.1 mi from San Antonio, TX · 2h 36m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
143 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 143.1 miles from San Antonio, TX, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before Purple Heart Trail if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 188.3 miles.
Arriving in Addison, TX
The final approach into Addison, TX usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Addison, TX.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$43.73 one way
$87.47 round trip
$3.88/gal
25.4 MPG avg
100 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $47.93 | $95.85 |
| premium | $4.59 | $51.75 | $103.50 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $63.61 | $127.21 |
Estimated Tolls: $0.80
Dallas North Tollway
(10 mi)
$0.80
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$44
Tolls
$1
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 100.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $30 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 85.9 | 1 | $30.06 | $13.74 |
| Efficient EV | 71.6 | 0 | $25.05 | $11.45 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 114.5 | 1 | $40.08 | $18.32 |
Gas CO2
100 kg
EV CO2
33 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Addison, TX
Afternoon in Addison on Sunday
Local time
3:24 PM
CDT
Current temp
65°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
16 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
5h 10m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from San Antonio, TX to Addison, TX covers 286.3 miles and takes about 5h 10m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Purple Heart Trail, I 35E, North Pan Am Expressway. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 143.1 miles from San Antonio, TX. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $43.73 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 286.3 miles, you will need to stay alert — especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
The main spots that need attention: at 0.9 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 1.9 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here; at 10.7 miles (North Pan Am Expressway): Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here.
The route from San Antonio, TX to Addison, TX does not surface many named destination signs beyond the main corridor.
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